SECURITY CHALLENGES OF IOT INTEGRATION IN NATIONAL AND STATE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURES

This investigation scrutinizes the incorporation of Internet of Things (IoT) systems within national infrastructures, accentuating both operational advantages and notable security challenges. It delves into the stratified architecture of IoT, underscoring vulnerabilities that emerge from device constraints, varied deployment environments, and inadequate cybersecurity practices. The examination addresses external threats such as distributed denial-of-service attacks, malware, and data manipulation, in conjunction with internal risks including insider threats and misconfigurations. The ramifications of these threats on critical infrastructure sectors, such as energy, transportation, and healthcare, are evaluated, with a focus on operational disruptions and economic impacts. Emergent defense strategies involving Software-Defined Networking and machine learning-based anomaly detection are assessed for their capability to bolster security posture. Furthermore, the role of national cybersecurity strategies and regulatory frameworks is analyzed, concentrating on multi-stakeholder coordination, legal measures, and adaptive governance to manage evolving risks. The findings highlight the imperative of integrating technical, organizational, and policy approaches to protect IoT-enabled critical systems and sustain national security resilience.